The Effects of U. S. Trade Protection and Promotion Policies

Economists disagree on whether recent U.S. trade policies are harmful or helpful, but they all agree that there is a new trend toward focusing on results-oriented policies in specific markets and with particular trading partners. These twelve essays by leading international economists explore crucial issues in U.S. trade policy today. Topics examined include the markets for automobile and automobile parts in the United States and Japan, the U.S. response to unfair trading practices such as dumping, and the effects of industry- and country-specific policies. Examples include high-technology and agricultural industries and off-shore assembly in U.S. border cities. The volume concludes that some policies can act to both protect imports and promote exports, that the threat of protectionist policies can often have effects that are as pronounced as their implementation, and that regulatory policy has as great an impact on trade and investment patterns as does trade policy itself. It will be of crucial interest to international trade economists, policy specialists, and political scientists. Gone are the days when the United States was evaluated by its ability to negotiate multilateral policies of mutual benefit to a broad group of countries. Economists disagree on whether recent U.S. trade policies are harmful or helpful, but they all agree that there is a new trend toward focusing on results-oriented policies in specific markets and with particular trading partners. These twelve essays by leading international economists examine crucial issues in U.S. trade policy today. Taken together, these essays show that some policies can act to both protect imports and promote exports, and that the threat of protectionist policies can often have effects that are as pronounced as their actual implementation. This timely volume will be of crucial interest to international trade economists, policy specialists, and political scientists.